CRUDE Synonyms: 327 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'crude' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crude are raw , rough , and rude . While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive. // a crude joke

Q: When could 'raw' be used to replace 'crude'?

In some situations, the words raw and crude are roughly equivalent. However, raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished. // turning raw youths into polished performers

Q: When would 'rough' be a good substitute for 'crude'?

The words rough and crude can be used in similar contexts, but rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness. // rough manners

Q: When might 'rude' be a better fit than 'crude'?

The synonyms rude and crude are sometimes interchangeable, but rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy. // rude behavior

crude

adjective

ˈkrüd

Definition of crude next

as in raw

being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining a sizable spill of crude oil along a coastline is the worst kind of environmental disaster

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in primitive

belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development the crude stone tools that those prehistoric peoples used

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as in vulgar

depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society crude jokes can be considered sexual harassment

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as in crass

lacking in refinement or good taste any discussion of one's money is considered crude by the club's blue-blooded members

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as in clumsy

hastily or roughly constructed a crude hut that was constructed by some shipwrecked sailors

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective crude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crude are raw, rough, and rude. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When could raw be used to replace crude?

In some situations, the words raw and crude are roughly equivalent. However, raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.

turning raw youths into polished performers

When would rough be a good substitute for crude?

The words rough and crude can be used in similar contexts, but rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

When might rude be a better fit than crude?

The synonyms rude and crude are sometimes interchangeable, but rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.

rude behavior

Examples of crude in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Oil extended losses after a report that Israel may avoid targeting Iran’s crude infrastructure eased concerns over tensions in the Middle East. —

Rob Verdonck, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2024 The logic behind the decision, per the FTC, was that both men had communicated with the oil cartel OPEC in order to collude on setting crude prices worldwide. —

Melvin Backman, Quartz, 10 Oct. 2024 Faced with lower global demand in general, and China's in particular, crude oil futures slumped in September to their lowest levels since December 2021, with Brent falling as low as $70. —

Gaurav Sharma, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024 Jenni Reid 6 Hours Ago U.S. crude oil sells off 4% as global surplus looms U.S. crude oil futures sold off 4% on Tuesday, as a looming surplus next year overshadows the risk of a supply disruption in the Middle East. —

Karen Gilchrist,jenni Reid,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crude

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crude.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.